The Mission of the Coalition Against Gun Violence is committed to creating a safer community for Santa Barbara County residents united against gun violence through its educational programs and advocacy for effective local, state and national policies and legislation.

Tragedies

Two men were killed and 18 other people wounded, including two 15-year-old boys, in shootings in Chicago. Damion Bryant, a 32-year-old man was shot and pronounced dead. The other homicide, Addarium Thompson, 27, was killed and his mother, a 50-year-old woman was shot in the chest and is in serious condition. The other incidents throughout the […]

Jerad and Amanda Miller randomly killed two police officers who were eating in a pizza restaurant. The Millers considered law enforcement as oppressors. They placed a “Don’t Tread on Me” flag and a Nazi swastika on one officer and left a note saying, “This is the beginning of the revolution,” on the other officer’s body, […]

John Izeal Smith, 35, is accused of shooting and killing three people in a possible tenant-landlord dispute. Smith, barricaded inside a home, fired heavily at police officers with a rifle. Bullets struck two police cars. Police had responded to multiple calls of gunfire and someone shooting indiscriminately at people passing by. One man who rushed […]

In yet another horrific domestic violence tragedy involving firearms, Lee Haskell, dressed as a delivery man, went to his ex-wife Melanie’s relatives’ home and asked Cassidy, age 15 for her parents, he told her his name and the girl recognized him as her ex-uncle. Cassidy tried to close the door on him, but he kicked […]

CAGV THANKS 2015 GUN BUYBACK DONORS!

The Coalition Against Gun Violence extends its appreciation to the individuals and businesses listed below for their generous 2015 donations received at our 20th Anniversary Celebration on May 17th. As advertised, all donations received for that event went to fund another successful Gun Buyback held on June 13, 2015, which otherwise would not have happened without these contributors. These are the folks who took action and believed a Gun Buyback would help make our community a safer place to live. The Santa Barbara Police Department under the auspices of Sgt. Riley Harwood also played a major role in organizing and staffing another smooth and efficiently run Gun Buyback event which enabled us to remove another 207 firearms from our community and out of harm's way.

CAGV and the community of Santa Barbara wish to thank Vons Grocery Stores in Santa Barbara for providing CAGV with gift cards at a discounted rate which we in turn were able to give to people in exchange for their firearms. This generous donation facilitated CAGV’s offer of $100 for a handgun, rifle or shotgun and $200 for an assault weapon. Kudos to Vons Grocery Stores for their donation towards a safer community.

Business Donors

CAGV would like to thank the following Santa Barbara businesses who donated goods and services to the 20th Anniversary Celebration Silent Auction. We appreciate their continued support on behalf of gun violence prevention. We encourage you to support them.

WHAT WE CAN AGREE ON:

The tragedy of children lost to their families forever has overwhelmed the souls of people nationally and internationally with near wordless grief. With the loss of a child, grief does not abate or come to closure. Many families have turned grief into action. We know from past massacres that thoughts and prayers are not enough. We demand action!

We send those closest to our hearts, our precious innocent children to where we think is a safe place –our neighborhood schools. But in the land of the free, our hearts are filled with fear because there is no safe place in a country where 300,000,000 firearms are easily accessible. The reality is that only one-third of Americans own firearms, and 300,000,000 firearms have not created a safer America. Whether these weapons are legally owned or not, does not matter. A legal upstanding gun owner is one argument or one crisis away from violence. These dangerous killing weapons are in homes, presumably protecting the family from harm.

No other country in the Western world has this kind of violence attributable to firearms. America’s culture of violence provides a crucible for permissible murderous acts. Let us not play politics with death and sorrow. Let us consider conflict resolution and what all sides can agree upon.

WE CAN AGREE ON THESE FACTS:

There are too many gun deaths in America: 87 each day, 30,000 each year.

Guns are here to stay. No one’s going to take your gun away. It’s a fear tactic used by the gun lobby. Gun control advocates and organizations don’t talk about banning all guns. They talk about REASONABLE GUN POLICIES and work closely with law enforcement.

America has a culture of violence. Media violence does have an effect on people and children. Why did the killer in Aurora wear a Joker costume? Life imitates art.

Mentally unstable people are a long way from receiving adequate care and therapy. Yet they are jailed or become homeless and as a consequence there are millions of suffering people who are living on the edge. States do not share information regarding persons who have had a history of hospitalization due to mental illness. A perfect local example was the Goleta Post Office shooting on January 31, 2006. The shooter got her gun in New Mexico, not California where we have laws that would not have permitted her purchase.

Domestic violence is prevalent, and millions of women are shot by their partners or constantly threatened with the use of a gun. There is a murder suicide or annihilation killing of a family resulting in 1000 to 1500 deaths per year, 90% with a firearm.

The new activist interpretation of the Second Amendment whereby the Supreme Court rejected the gun lobby’s mantra: any gun, anywhere, anytime by stating: the individual right to possess guns in the home for self-defense does not prevent the enacting of common-sense gun laws.

WE MUST AGREE TO TAKE ACTION:

Require a background check for every gun sale (40% of gun sales in our nation have no background check; 92% of Americans favor passing this law.)

Ban Assault Weapons and any gun or rifle that can be converted to hold a high capacity magazine over 10 rounds.

Ban large capacity magazines.

More than 20 family members and victims of mass shootings met in Washington, DC with leaders in Congress and the White House calling on them to seriously address gun violence in this nation. The group released the following letter asking leaders and the American public for a meaningful dialogue and swift action:

“We are Republicans and Democrats, from “blue states” and “red states.” We live in cities, suburbs and rural areas. We are from many different walks of life. Some of us own guns. Some of us don’t. “We know that the overwhelming majority of Americans support sensible solutions that would have prevented many of our tragedies, and can prevent many more every day.”

The full text of the letter can be read and signed at http://wearebetterthanthis.org/

The Declaration of Independence states the inalienable rights of the people to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness; and that a government is necessary to ensure our Safety and Happiness. The first duty of all elected officials is the safety of the public.

California State Legislation — VICTORY!

GOVERNOR BROWN SIGNS SIX GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION BILLS IN 2014!

AB 1014 GUN VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDER (GVRO) – Skinner and Williams This bill will establish a procedure to allow concerned family members or law enforcement officers to petition a court for a GVRO. In situations where there is sufficient evidence for a judge to believe that an individual poses a danger to self or others, the GVRO would temporarily limit the individual from purchasing or possessing firearms or ammunition and would allow law enforcement to remove any firearms or ammunition already in his or her possession. To avoid the potential for abuse of this new procedure, the bill would create penalties for anyone who files a petition intending to harass the named individual or knowing that any of the information provided in the petition is false.

SB 505 POLICE WELFARE CHECKS – Jackson This bill would require law enforcement agencies in California to develop and implement written policies and standard protocols pertaining to the best manner to conduct a check on the welfare of a citizen when such check is motivated by a concern that the individual may be a danger to himself or herself or to others. The bill would also require those policies to encourage a peace officer, prior to conducting a welfare check, and whenever possible and reasonable, to conduct a search of the Department of Justice Automated Firearms System to determine whether the person is the registered owner of any firearms.

AB 1609 TRANSFER OF FIREARMS PURCHASED OUT OF STATE – AlejoCurrently, federal law makes it illegal to purchase a handgun outside of California and bring it into the state unless the firearm is shipped to a licensed dealer in California to complete the transaction. Federal law also requires that any dealer outside of California selling a long gun to a California resident who has traveled to another state to purchase a long gun comply with all California laws in completing the transaction.
However, federal authorities do not have the resources to enforce existing laws and California has no state law governing these transactions at all. This bill would require all firearms purchased outside of California by California residents intending to possess those firearms in California to be shipped to a licensed dealer in California in order to complete the transaction. The California dealer making the transfer would have to comply with all California requirements including, among others, the completion of a background check, complying with the 10-day waiting period, and ensuring that the purchaser has a valid firearm safety certificate

AB 1964 CLOSING THE "SINGLE-SHOT EXEMPTION" LOOPHOLE – Dickinson(Sacramento) California law requires that all semiautomatic handguns models sold in the state be certified as not unsafe by the Department of Justice after meeting certain required safety standards. Prior law included an exception for so-called “single shot” pistols that could be temporarily modified to not fire on a semiautomatic basis in order to circumvent California’s safety standards. AB 1964 closes that loophole by clarifying that the unsafe handgun law applies to semiautomatic pistols that have been temporarily or permanently altered so that they will not fire in a semiautomatic mode.

AB 1591 COURT NOTIFICATION – Achadjian Under current law, courts are required to notify the California Department of Justice if they make a determination about a person’s mental state which would prohibit him or her from possessing a gun under California law. AB 1591 will speed up this process by requiring such notifications to be made within one court day.

AB 2310 UNLAWFUL DETAINER ACTIONS – Ridley-Thomas This bill will extend a pilot program that allows city prosecutors or city attorneys to bring unlawful detainer actions (which lead to an eviction) against tenants to abate a nuisance caused by illegal conduct involving unlawful weapons or ammunition. In addition to Los Angeles County, AB 2310 would extend the program to both Sacramento County and Alameda County, and would run through January 1, 2019. The idea behind the pilot program is to give local law enforcement a method to evict unlawful and potentially dangerous tenants when landlords may be unwilling to act for fear of retaliation.

These two federal Pause For Safety Act bills would help ensure that family members can go to a court to seek a “gun violence prevention order” to temporarily stop someone who poses a threat to themselves or others from purchasing or possessing a gun and ensure that a court can issue a “gun violence prevention warrant,” if the court determines the individual poses a threat to themselves of others. These bills ensure that law enforcement can make full use of all existing state and local gun databases when investigating a warning or request from a family member.

CA Stands for Gun Violence Prevention

How did Florida’s gun death rate suddenly become almost 50% higher than California’s? The question is particularly relevant to the 2012 election. After 1999, when Republicans won control of Florida’s Legislature and the Governor’s office, they passed 38 gun-friendly laws, culminating in Stand Your Ground (SYG). This notorious 2005 law allows people to use lethal force in self-defense in public places even when they could avoid it. After SYG, between 2005 and 2009 (the latest CDC data) Florida’s firearm homicide rate shot up 21%.

In contrast, California—a Democratic state—had been strengthening its gun laws since the early 1990’s. As the regulations took effect its gun homicide rate declined dramatically—by 53% from the 1993 California (and national) peak, far more than the decline in the rest of the nation.

Since the 2005 SYG law, remarkably, Florida’s firearm homicide rate soared higher than California’s, even though California is a more urban state with greater inner-city gang and gun violence problems.After SYG more Floridians brought guns into their homes. Not coincidentally, from 2005 to 2009 Florida’s gun suicide rate jumped 20%, driving its total suicide rate up 16%. (Suicide attempts with firearms are much more likely to be lethal than are attempts by other means.)

Florida’s total firearm mortality rate also increased—by 20% from 2005 to 2009. (In 2005, 1,824 Floridians died by gunfire; in 2009, 2,306 died.) By 2009 Florida’s firearm mortality rate was almost 50% higher than California’s, because that state’s firearm mortality rate had continued to drop. California’s gun policies helped cut gun deaths without infringing on Constitutional rights.

Get Involved!

Any Donation Helps!

John Izeal Smith, 35, is accused of shooting and killing three people in a possible tenant-landlord dispute. Smith, barricaded inside a home, fired heavily at police officers with a rifle. Bullets struck two police cars. Police had responded to multiple calls of gunfire and someone shooting indiscriminately at people passing by. One man who rushed in to help was killed. Police came under heavy attack as they approached one of the victims outside. Smith called police and a dispatcher and crisis negotiator finally persuaded Smith to leave the home unarmed and surrender to authorities. Smith is suspected of killing a woman inside the home and killing two persons outside the home. Two additional people suffered minor to moderate injuries. The victim’s names have not been released as of this posting.

In yet another horrific domestic violence tragedy involving firearms, Lee Haskell, dressed as a delivery man, went to his ex-wife Melanie’s relatives’ home and asked Cassidy, age 15 for her parents, he told her his name and the girl recognized him as her ex-uncle. Cassidy tried to close the door on him, but he kicked it in. Inside were two boys, 13 and 4, and two girls, 7 and 9. He tied up the five children and awaited the arrival of the parents, Stephen Stay, 39, and Katie Stay, 33, who arrived shortly and were also tied up. Haskell asked them for the whereabouts of his ex-wife. When he received no satisfactory answer, Haskell shot each member of the family in the back of the head. Authorities identified the dead as Stephen Stay, 39, and Katie Stay, 33, their two boys, ages 4 and 14; and two girls, ages 7 and 9. Cassidy played dead and despite her injuries called 911 telling authorities the shooter was en route to the home of other relatives.

Haskell was jailed in 2008 in Utah on charges of assault and domestic violence that were later dismissed. In October 2013, Katie Haskell filed a protective order against him. It was dismissed after the couple filed for divorce that was finalized Feb. 14, 2014. Her sister, Katie went to Utah last fall to help Melanie escape the relationship and start a new life in Texas.

A 3-hour standoff ensued when deputies cornered Haskell in a nearby neighborhood. He is in custody, charged with murder. Cassidy who suffered a bullet fracture to her skull has been discharged from the hospital and is with her grandparents.

Jerad and Amanda Miller randomly killed two police officers who were eating in a pizza restaurant. The Millers considered law enforcement as oppressors. They placed a “Don’t Tread on Me” flag and a Nazi swastika on one officer and left a note saying, “This is the beginning of the revolution,” on the other officer’s body, according to authorities. The Millers ran to a nearby Walmart, where they killed a bystander Joseph Wilcox, 31,who hoped to confront the suspects. Wilcox was carrying a concealed weapon and moved toward Jerad Miller. Amanda Miller shot Wilcox who was trying to protect others The Millers barricaded themselves inside Walmart during a firefight with responding officers. Assistant Sheriff Kevin McMahill said police fatally wounded Jerad. A Walmart video shows the Millers holding firearms, which they pointed at each other. Finally Amanda Miller turned the gun on herself. There were there red flags: Miller threatened to shoot staff at Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles after his suspended driver’s license was taken from him during a traffic stop. Detectives did not perceive the “potential for an ongoing threat.” Two other threats regarding domestic violence and an alleged sexual assault of neighbor were dismissed. “Because an individual may online espouse ideology that is anti-government or anti-police does not make them translate into a murderer,” an investigating officer said. “What happened to change these two people into murderers, we don’t know.” Authorities said three weapons were recovered from the suspects: a Smith & Wesson M&P 9 mm handgun, a Ruger .38-caliber revolver and a Winchester 1300 12 gauge shotgun with a pistol grip. The weapons were not registered, as required by law. More details about the killers emerged. Kellie Fielder said Amanda Miller was her best friend. The Millers stayed with her for about two weeks before the shooting. She saw them leave on that fateful day, armed to the teeth. “There were two duffel bags in a cart. They had two duffel bags on their back,” Fielder said. “She just hugged me and said, ‘I love you, thank you for everything.’” Fielder said she never thought they were planning the carnage. “I was stupid, I guess,” Fielder said. “I got five deaths on my shoulders. I should have called the cops,” she said, crying. “I’m so so, so sorry — to everybody. I’m sorry.”

Two men were killed and 18 other people wounded, including two 15-year-old boys, in shootings in Chicago. Damion Bryant, a 32-year-old man was shot and pronounced dead. The other homicide, Addarium Thompson, 27, was killed and his mother, a 50-year-old woman was shot in the chest and is in serious condition. The other incidents throughout the day and evening appear to be random drive-by shootings, some serious. All were hospitalized.

Newsletters

Our Latest Newsletter:

FALL 2014 Newsletter VOL 20 No. 3 (4.1 MB)
Tough Guise 2: Violence, Manhood and American Culture, It Took an Act of Congress to Address Violence Against Women, Women Under the Gun: Stalking and Gun Violence, Guns Public Health and Mental Health, CAGV Supports Laura’s Law for Santa Barbara County